Abstract
In recent years, the interests and motivations of tourists for nature and leisure have increased. The objectives of this study include following: (i) identifying the underlying variables or motivational dimensions in ecotourism; and (ii) analyzing the demand segmentation in ecotourism. This empirical study was conducted in The Arenal National Park and The Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica, a country with ecological importance for ecotourism. The sample consisted of 310 surveys obtained in situ. For data analysis, factor analysis and a non-hierarchical K-means segmentation were performed. In the study, seven motivational dimensions in ecotourism were obtained, such as “Self-development”, “Interpersonal relationships and ego-defensive function”, “Nature”, “Building personal relationships”, “Rewards” and “Escape”. Moreover, the characteristics of the different segments are established according to their motivations; thus, there are three segments of ecotourists: “Reward and escape”, “Multiple motives” and “Nature”. The findings of this research provide management guides to public institutions and information for companies for developing products according to demand.
Highlights
Published: 1 September 2021Ecotourism is an important type of tourism that has an annual growth of 5% globally, becoming the type of tourism that grows three times faster than tourism in general [1]
The six dimensions identified in this study are similar to those of Iversen [37] et al The academics found the following as motivational dimensions: status, novelty, relaxation, active nature and social interaction
They are necessary for ecotourism to find segments that provide information and to facilitate the development of products adapted to the specific characteristics of each group
Summary
Ecotourism is an important type of tourism that has an annual growth of 5% globally, becoming the type of tourism that grows three times faster than tourism in general [1]. Motivation, has become a fundamental concept for travel behavior since it determines different aspects of tourism regarding the reasons for traveling, the specific destination and the overall trip satisfaction [6]. In this sense, the motivations are different for each tourist [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
